Extension handle assembly for a hand tool

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary handle assemble includes a cross member having end members with fasteners for seated engagement with the ends of a permanent handle of a hand tool. The cross member receives the tool handle for secure attachment purposes and is provided with an ear which receives an auxiliary handle in a pivotal manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns an auxiliary or extension handle assembly for attachment to a hand held tool.

[0002] Certain hand tools necessitate the user being on his or her knees during tool use, for example, concrete finishing tools are provided with a hand grip and requires the user to be in a kneeling position during tool use. In certain instances it may be advantageous to provide such a hand tool temporarily with a handle extension or an auxiliary handle while permitting the hand tool to be returned to its original configuration if desired.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,427 shows a screed for surfacing concrete utilizing two handles and a screed bar held in place by an eye bolt in a clevis.

[0004] U.S. Pat. 5,381,578 discloses a yoke at the end of a handle with yoke mounted screws engageable with a motor housing of an orbit polisher machine and removable to permit the polisher to be hand held.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,060 shows a handle mounted block grooved along its length to receive a hedge trimmer retained in place by a pair of plates and fasteners.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,154 shows a concrete board held in place by a pair of devises and locking screws.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed toward providing an auxiliary handle for securement in a detachable manner to a hand tool.

[0008] The extension handle assembly includes a cross member equipped with fastener means for attachment in a secure manner to the handle of a hand tool to permit operation of the latter from a standing position as opposed to otherwise use of the hand tool in a kneeling position. The extension handle assembly is provided with a cross member having a recessed area into which a portion of the handle is received contributing to positive engagement of the present handle assembly with the tool. In concrete finishing tools, it is important that the finishing tool be controlled in a precise manner to avoid irregularities in the finished concrete surface. While concrete finishing tools, to the extent known, are usually hand held, it is highly advantageous to permit utilization of an extension handle assuming the degree of control is not reduced. Further, it is desirable that the hand tool can be returned to its original configuration, i. e., removal of an extension handle assembly in a convenient, rapid manner.

[0009] Important objectives of the present invention include the provision of a handle extension assembly which is readily attachable to a hand tool without modification of the latter and permitting return of the hand tool to its original configuration; the provision of a handle extension assembly providing a high degree of hand tool control by reason of the attachment being in a secure manner; the provision of a handle extension assembly having a cross member engageable with the handle of the hand tool to stabilize the hand tool against random movement relative to the handle extension assembly; the provision of a handle extension assembly having fastener elements readily engageable with and detachable from a hand tool handle without modification of or damage to the latter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the accompanying drawings:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present handle assembly in place on a hand tool;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the handle assembly shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an end view of the handle extension assembly with fragments broken away for purposes of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] With continuing attention to the drawings wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarly hereinafter identified, the reference numeral 1 indicates the present handle extension assembly.

[0015] Reference number 2 indicates a surface working component of a hand tool having a permanent handle 3 attached to component 2 by a bracket 4 having ends as at 5. While the hand tool shown is of the type for working a concrete surface, the present invention is not limited to any particular hand held tool since a variety of hand tools may be coupled to the present handle extension assembly.

[0016] With attention now directed to the present extension or auxiliary handle assembly, a cross member 10 thereof defines an open area 11 permitting cross member 10 to engage a segment of tool handle 3. The cross member may be formed, as shown, from a length of angle iron terminating at side edges 12 and 13. Members at 16 depend from cross member 10 and receive fastening elements at 14 which engage the tool handle. Elements 14 may be of the screw type for endwise abutment with the handle and the handle bracket ends 5..

[0017] The cross member 10 is provided with an ear 15 to which a handle 19, preferably several feet in length, may be coupled by means of a device 17 and pivot pin 18.

[0018] While an angular cross member at 10 is shown, the cross member may be of other cross sectional shape for engagement with handle 3 of the hand tool. Further, while the ear 15 is mounted parallel with the axis of cross member 10, for some hand tools it may be preferable to provide ear 15 in transverse orientation to the cross member.

[0019] The use of the present handle assembly is believed self-explanatory. Attachment to a tool handle entails placing cross member 10 in contact with tool handle 3 with cross member edges 12 and 13 in spaced apart lines of contact 12A-13A with tool handle 3. Fastening elements 14 are subsequently advanced into forceful endwise contact with bracket 4 or with handle 3 depending on hand tool construction.

[0020] While we have shown but one embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

[0021] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured by a Letters Patent is: 

We claim:
 1. An auxiliary handle assembly for attachment to a hand tool having a permanent handle, said auxiliary handle assembly comprising. an elongate handle, a cross member for attachment to said hand tool, end members each positionable adjacent opposite ends of the cross member, and adjustable fasteners each carried by one of said end members for biased engagement with the permanent handle of the tool.
 2. The auxiliary handle assembly claimed in claim I wherein said cross member is disposed perpendicular to said end members and defines an area in which the tool handle may be received.
 3. The auxiliary handle assembly claimed in claim 2 wherein said cross member is of angular cross section.
 4. The auxiliary handle assembly claimed in claim 3 wherein said cross member is of right angular cross section having parallel edges for linear contact with the hand tool permanent handle.
 5. An auxiliary handle assembly for a hand held tool having a cylindrical handle and permitting hand tool use from a standing position, said auxiliary handle assembly comprising, a handle several feet in length, an elongate member having linear surfaces for contact with the cylindrical tool handle, means for coupling said handle to said elongate member, end plates mounted on said elongate member, fastener means on said end plates for engagement with the hand tool handle, said linear surfaces on said elongate member contributing to attachment of the auxiliary handle assembly to the and tool in a secure manner, said fastener means permitting removal of the auxiliary handle. 